Holiday light displays in Southern California
Here's a list of places to see festive holiday light displays in Southern California. Share your favorites with #abc7holiday!
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Moonlight Forest - Lantern Art Festival at the Los Angeles Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
October 26 through January 6
At night, the grounds become an illuminated wonderland, with magical lantern art depicting exotic animals, shimmering flowers, whimsical pandas, soaring dragons and more.
Bold Holidays on Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
November 15 through December 22
Enjoy spectacular lighting displays and special photo opportunities along Rodeo Drive, North and South Beverly Drive, Canon Drive, at Beverly Canon Gardens and Beverly Gardens Park. Stores are open late for evening shopping on Fridays and Saturdays.
Chinese Lantern Festival at The Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona
November 15 through January 6
Experience larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns, live entertainment and food, complete with multicultural experiences and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.
The Americana at Brand Christmas
889 Americana Way, Glendale
November 16 through December 25
The Green transforms into a winter wonderland every evening with snow falling at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reserve your spot at Santa's House where you can share your wish list.
L.A. Zoo Lights
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
November 16 through January 6
Visitors will encounter giant illuminated snowflakes, a disco ball forest, plus new areas to explore. Santa and his reindeer will also be there.
L.A. Zoo Lights Overnight Adventure
Fa La Land at ROW DTLA
787 S Alameda Street, Los Angeles
November 17 through December 25
Looking for that picture-perfect spot to shoot your holiday card? Maybe you want to make your Instagram feed more festive? Check out SoCal's newest photo pop-up experience with dazzling lights, jolly holiday backdrops and Santa himself.
Enchanted: Forest of Lights at Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
November 18 through January 6
The interactive nighttime event celebrates its third year at the gardens. Get in the holiday spirit as you stroll the one-mile route with unique displays that light up the walkway and the sky. Many of the installations invite participation, while others you can just stand back and enjoy.
A Winter Wonderland at The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
November 19 through December 25
The Grove transforms into a winter wonderland every evening with snow falling at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Enjoy the 100-foot Christmas tree with 25,000 lights and ornaments and holiday-themed dancing waters.
HYBYCOZO: The Shape of Light
Bank of America Plaza, 333 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles
November 19 through February 15
The three, seven to twelve-foot tall sculptures are lit with LEDs from the inside, and cast colorful patterns and intricate geometric shadows.
Holiday Light Festival Train Ride
4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
November 23 through December 30
Head to Griffith Park for an evening train ride around a festively decorated, one mile of track. Tens of thousands of lights create magical scenes to entertain you and your family.
Trees in the Bay
Alamitos Bay, Long Beach
November 23 through January 1
The 69-year tradition returns to Alamitos Bay. 67 floating, wooden, Christmas tree-shaped structures are each lined with 200 colorful bulbs.
Alamitos Heights Improvement Association/Facebook
Queen Mary Christmas
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
November 23 through January 6
Enjoy nostalgic fun including ice-skating onboard the ship's uppermost deck, nightly tree lighting ceremonies on the ship's bow, the Gingerbread Village, Stocking Shop, strolling vintage carolers, live entertainment, holiday dining, and more.
Lights on Miracle Hill
City Blessing Church of Walnut, 18901 Amar Road, Walnut
Friday-Sunday, December 1 through December 23
A free Christmas light show with over 1-million lights synchronized to music.
City Blessing Church of Walnut/Facebook
Grand Park's Winter Glow
200 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
December 1 through December 25
This immersive nighttime art experience takes over Grand Park with a 12-acre art, projection and light display, exhibit and installation.
The 56th Annual Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
December 8
Enjoy the Snow Wonder event, 12pm-6pm. Fireworks kick-off the boat parade celebration at 5:55pm, then festively-lit boats sail the main channel, 6pm-8pm.
Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade
Naples Island, Long Beach
December 8
The 72nd annual boat parade will feature both large and small boats as they show off their lights. The big boats embark at 6pm, while the smaller ones launch at 6:30 p.m.
The 98th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Altadena
Santa Rosa Avenue between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive, Altadena
December 8 through January 1
Billed as "America's first large scale Christmas light display," the illumination of the deodars cedar trees was started in 1920 by a local businessman. In 1990, the lane was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became a California State Landmark.
Shoreline Yacht Club's Christmas Boat Parade Of 1,000 Lights
Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and the Queen Mary
December 15
The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. outside the Shoreline Marina. The colorfully lighted boats and yachts sail past the Pine Avenue Pier, and then across the bay and past the Queen Mary.
The 27th Annual Chino Hills Boat Parade
Starts and ends on Peyton Drive at Eucalyptus Avenue
December 21
The Kiwanis Club of Chino Hills invites the community to enjoy decorated boats, bands, equestrians and other entries. The parade starts at 7pm, but crowds arrive early to park and gather on the route. ABC7 Meteorologist Leslie Lopez is the Grand Marshal.
ORANGE COUNTY
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights
Newport Bay, Newport Beach
Holiday Lights December 1 through December 31
Boat Parade December 19 through December 23
Elaborate Christmas light displays of bay-front estates with their Ring Of Lights competition and one of the largest decorated boat parades in the country. Hundreds of decorated ships of all sizes compete for top awards in over a half dozen categories.
Happy Harbor Days
Dana Point Harbor
December 1 through January 6
Stroll through the harbor to check out colorful lighting displays free of charge, including Candy Cane Lane, the "Merry Kiss Me" arch and lighted trees.
44th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point Harbor
December 7, 8, 14 & 15
This year's theme is "A Western Wonderland." Boats will parade into the harbor showing off their country western themed decorations, animation, color and lights.
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
Huntington Harbour
December 8 & 9
The 56th annual boat procession features over 75 vessels lit up for the holiday season. The theme for this year's event is "A Space Odyssey."
Holiday Luminaria Stroll at The Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
December 14 & 15
Spend the evening in the garden and stroll luminaria lined pathways. Enjoy live music, vintage holiday decorations at Heritage House, make an ornament and see the beauty of the garden at night.
Winter Fest at the OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
December 20 through January 6
Enjoy a nightly Christmas tree lighting celebration with a parade of characters, fireworks and snow flurries. See Santa and his reindeer flying over the fairgrounds, and an all-new Alpine Village with a light maze and new wintery attractions.
INLAND EMPIRE
Magic of Lights at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana
9300 Cherry Ave, Fontana
November 16 through December 31
Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort of your own car. The family-friendly drive-through experience features festive scenes of sparkling displays and animations depicting the favorite characters of the season.
Festival of Lights presented by The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Main Street and 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside
November 23 through January 6
Riverside's 26th annual festival includes The Mission Inn Hotel, illuminated with 5-million lights, 200 animated characters, fresh fallen snow and a candy themed-decor. Attractions along the Main Street pedestrian mall include holiday vendors, family-friendly entertainment, trackless train rides, the Century Ferris Wheel and a colorful vintage carousel.
VENTURA COUNTY
Holiday Lights at the Reagan Library
40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley
November 10 through January 6
Visitors can take a 90-minute walk around the Reagan Library campus while listening to holiday tunes and special sound effects associated with the 40th president. Thousands of LEDs, lasers, 3D projections and animated displays are designed to get visitors into the holiday spirit.
42nd Annual Holiday Parade of Lights & Fireworks
Ventura Harbor
December 14 and 15
This year, they are paying homage to all things 70s, and 70s attire is encouraged. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m., and then stick around for fireworks at the end of Spinnaker Drive at 8 p.m. On Saturday, come early to visit Ventura Harbor Village's Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace.
If you know a great place to see holiday lights, share it with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #abc7holiday!
